What's in bloom in February 2019

[Ladygardener]

So we're into February and I thought I'd start a new thread. I don't have anything to post at the moment 'tho but will soon have some lovely blossom.

[Tig]

This month I should have a few daffs out as they are in bud, more hellebores still to flower, iris reticulata, anemone blanda and more crocus. I doubt I'll see much blossom if it remains this cold, but I have spotted flower buds on the clematis armandii, which have been nibbled by something, possibly caterpillars or climbing s & s!

Yesterdays iris and this mornings crocus enjoying a bit of sunshine.

[Jasmine]

Saw your pretty irises on FB Tig, I think you might be right about a bit of cross breeding - the left one is such a pretty range of colours. Love crocus and the way they only respond to the sun!

[Ladygardener]

I see what Jasmine means about potential cross breeding. I love it when Crocus open in the sunshine. Unfortunately at the moment, the sun does'nt reach down to the ground where mine are.

As promised. Prunis incisa Paean yesterday in the middle bed. I've had it for years now and love to see it's early blossom.

[Jasmine]

What pretty blossom Ladygardener!

[Tig]

Oooh that's lovely LG

[Jasmine]

I meant to go and take some pictures but got a bit overcome by the challenge that was the car with no proper handbrake!

[Ladygardener]

Thanks Tig Jasmine, the blossom starts to swell and then open most Januarys, sometimes into early February and I look forward to it so much.

Not to worry Jasmine, hopefully you'll get some pics this week.

In the container on the gate, Crocus "Blue Bird" peeking up between the Dianthus.

[Jasmine]

Gorgeous Ladygardener!

[Ladygardener]

Thanks Jasmine, Jenny bought them for me.

[Tig]

Hellebore sternii pewter form which I grew from seed many moons ago.

[Ladygardener]

Another lovely one Tig. We were just saying the other day how smashing Hellibore are, blooming as they do, so early in the year.

[Tig]

They have become a bit of an addiction for me LG, providing a bridge between autumn and spring with so many of mine flowering at different times this winter.

Another one just opening today.

[Ladygardener]

It's very beautiful Tig. I'm smitten now as well, after ordering a dozen from Haylofts and now they're all potted up, I've gone and ordered another dozen or so of named varieties. They do live for a long time if they're happy where they are don't they?

[Tig]

As long as they don't fall victim to fungal diseases LG they seem to last for years. I had my first hellebore (a Ballard seedling) in 1995, it is still a very healthy plant!

[Ladygardener]

Fingers crossed then.

The sun came out yesterday and I finally got to peek inside these Crocus "Ruby Giant".

[Tig]

Every now and then something grown from seed turns out to be slightly different and one of my hellebore seedlings showed variegated foliage. It has been a 3 year wait to see if it maintained the variegation and if it would have a decent flower. Not fully open yet, but looking quite promising I think

[Dutchy]

Hellebore and crocus here too and snowdrops.
The Viburnum bodnatense Dawn is at it of course. And some roses that feel sorry for themselves although most late buds are indeed that, late.
Hazel is in flower too but some will not welcome that, pollen galore.
Sorry no pics.

[Ladygardener]

Sounds like spring is well on the way there Dutchy.

[Dutchy]

Not really Ladygardener ,, these are just the winter flowers as it is the truly early stuff that shines but it feels like there is a change for better and that does me.

My bog standard snowdrops are only just showing white. The Hellebore are colouring but only some have flowers fully open. Funnily the ones at the lottie which are in a colder but sunnier position are furthest in their show. The lesser celandine is not even budding yet so Spring is not just around the corner but it is getting closer.

And I have some wallflowers that think it is time...

 

[Jasmine]

This was a lovely surprise in a corner tucked out of the way - nearly missed it - last years' primroses with Iris Lady Beatrix Stanley...

[Jasmine]

There's more daffodils coming out - think they're January Gold. Galanthus Titania in front - a pretty little double.




Sorry - picture's too bright - you wouldn't believe these 2 pictures were taken side by side!


Galanthus Grumpy not coming out today!

[Ladygardener]

Come on Grumpy, don't be shy. Fab little Iris Jasmine.

Dutchy I think that at this time of year our little spring bulbs and Wallflower are so valued. Those are lovely.

Crocus Fuscotinctus.

[Tig]

The ginormous snowdrop which you checked for me Jasmine (I think the RHS person said it was nivalis, but it is four times the size of the others and differently marked) along with a couple of crocus have all opened in the sun here.

[Jasmine]

Gosh yes, that is quite different to the others Tig! That's a happy little bee!

Pretty crocus Ladygardener!

[Dutchy]

Tig , I have Galanthus Nivalis at the plot the plant grows to a hight of almost 20 cm and the flowers are at least two fingers wide large. I think the largest one is almost 4 cm. Which is huge when you compare them to the normal ones. These huge snowdrops start flowering early January when the others still think about life.

I have never found if there are subs or varieties within the nivalis group but obviously there must be.

Jasmine , you must be pickled pink with the snowdrop season now upon us

[Ladygardener]

It's easy to see that Snowdrop is different Tig. How fab to have bees, he's enjoying that pollen.

[owdboggy]

There is a form of G. nivalis called Colossus which flowers earl and is very big. There us also one called Fred's Giant, not as early but big.
This is a discussion on Big snowdrops
www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=16893.0

[Tig]

Thanks for the link OB - for a second I contemplated cutting up one of the flowers to measure it, but then decided they look too nice on the plant. My giant one dwarfs the others around it, I reckon if I try to separate it from the clump it I will never see it again, so I'll leave it.

This morning the first of the apricot hellebores is opening and one of the 'black' ones. I am not that keen on dark flowers nowadays as they don't stand out at all.





The flower on the variegated leaved sport has opened and is a pale lemon double with a hint of green, much nicer than I thought it would be.

[Jasmine]

Feb 12, 2019 8:29:01 GMT Dutchy said:

Tig , I have Galanthus Nivalis at the plot the plant grows to a hight of almost 20 cm and the flowers are at least two fingers wide large. I think the largest one is almost 4 cm. Which is huge when you compare them to the normal ones. These huge snowdrops start flowering early January when the others still think about life.

I have never found if there are subs or varieties within the nivalis group but obviously there must be.

Jasmine , you must be pickled pink with the snowdrop season now upon us

Absolutely Dutchy, I just wish it was daylight when I went to school or came home as I can just make out a huge clump of snowdrops along the lane by school but they will be over before I ever get to see them properly.